Man's Murder Shocks Family

NEW SMYRNA BEACH — Eva Foster's 50-year-old son, Bob Ryland, gave her a red rose when he arrived at her Ormond Beach home Sunday for dinner and a visit.

They ate and talked and had a good time before Bob left about 5:30 p.m., said John Foster, Ryland's stepfather. But the happy memory of the occasion was dulled Monday, he said, when police notified them of Ryland's murder.

Ryland was Eva Foster's only child and had moved to Florida to live near her.

Only a few hours after leaving Ormond Beach, he was beaten to death by intruders at Beach Yamaha, 1147 N. Dixie Freeway, were he lived and worked. Ryland was the security guard at night and detailed cars in the daytime.

His body was found about 8:30 a.m. Monday by business owner Chase Barry. Ten hours earlier Ryland's prized red 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28 was abandoned by two young men in the Port Orange area.

Police Chief Cody Gear said the preliminary cause of death is blunt trauma to the head. Ryland's body was found near the building entrance but signs of a struggle, including pools of blood, were seen throughout the upstairs business area and the basement living area, said Gear.

''He was unclothed and that indicated to me that he either was sleeping or just out of the shower when he was attacked,'' Gear said.

The chief refused to comment on the murder weapon or any motive for the bludgeoning of Ryland. He said items found in Ryland's abandoned car were taken from the business but would not elaborate.

''This murder is under investigation,'' Gear said. ''I will tell what I can without damaging the case and without telegraphing to the murderers what I am doing or going to do.''

Foster said he and his wife are encouraged ''because the police said whoever did it left a lot of clues behind.'' Police said when they catch the murderers, they won't have any trouble convicting them, Foster said.

He described his stepson as a happy man who spent thousands of hours restoring old cars.

''He loved old cars. I bet he owned 40 cars in 40 years,'' Foster said. ''He'd buy one, fix it up and sell it. The best one was a black and silver Hurst Oldsmobile that probably was worth $27,000.''

Ryland spent 10 years in the Army serving in Vietnam and Korea, Foster said. He also worked for Dominico Tours Inc. in Bayonne, N.J., before moving to Florida three years ago.

Gary Mariano, tour company safety director, said he couldn't imagine why anyone would kill ''a very nice man like Bob.''

''All our reports from our travelers were very favorable on Bob,'' he said. ''I'm just stunned.''